Aerie wrote:A few Central fans setting themselves up for a big fall later in the year...
From the small part I watched on tv yesterday, North were easily as good in every aspect except delivering into the forward line. Dogs flood back and North bombed it in.
How to beat Central?
For one, teams need to treat Callinan as they have come to treat Jeremy Clayton. Tag him with a very good player. Callinan does the simple things very well, being front and centre and his finishing is first class. Need a disciplined player to step on his toes every step of the way. I'd be using Colville if the Eagles were playing them.
Two, delivery into forward line needs to either be quick, or settle and wait for the right option. Schell and Grima mop up back there and they flood back as AFL teams do. Need to pick on there lesser back line players if possible and capitalise on opportunities.
Three, and probably the most important, is to match it with them for longer and for every minute. This requires concentration, fitness and hard work. 9 times out of 10 Central will crack open the opposition because they are the best at doing this. Teams need to be ready and willing for that 1 time they have the chance. Generally you need 7 or 8 quality midfielders you can run through there all game, because that is what Central have.
I still don't think the foot skills of Central are any where near as good as they were in 2005 and before. Under pressure there are a number of their players who make mistakes. Yes, Central are a very good side, but there are a number of teams who can and will beat them this year. It is still only May...
You make some good points Aerie. No doubt this will be the basis of opposition coaches plans, but note that Callinan was tagged yesterday and still kicked 4 goals. Roy has said all year that we have a fair bit of improving to do. Hopefully this improvement will click in about Septamber.
I couldn't vote for the team most likely to beat them because it wasn;t listed - the umpires. Their ability to frustrate some of our seasoned players is a concern.
Although there will be plenty of interest in the game, with our coach facing up to his old team for the first time. It will also be interesting to see just how far off their pace we are. But the upcoming encounter at Unley would have to be marked down as a win to the Dogs at this stage. Our losses to Norwood, Eagles and North have placed a limit on the scope of miracles I dare contemplate this year. Beating Centrals isn't one of them.
